Brussels, 27 November 2023
- 10:10 Public session (morning)
- 14:15 Public session (afternoon)
- 17:00 Press conference
Monday, 27 November 2023
European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities
Ministers agreed the Council’s position (‘general approach’) on the directive establishing the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities.
The directive will facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities in the Union, by ensuring equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment for persons with disabilities during short stays, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, assistance and reserved parking spaces.
It will introduce a standardised European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities, both available in accessible and bilingual formats. The European disability card will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability.
Today, we reached an agreement among EU member states on the new European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities. Special conditions and preferential treatment applying to persons with disabilities in their country of residence will be available to other Union citizens with disabilities travelling to or visiting that country for a short period. Travelling around the European Union is an incredibly enriching experience, and it should be easy and accessible for any EU citizen, without exceptions.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spanish Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda
Ministers also approved conclusions on the special report 20/23 by the European Court of Auditors on supporting people with disabilities, recalling the commitment to improve their lives within the European Union. The conclusions stress the need for better and more comparable data as well as the need to work towards the mutual recognition of disability status for short stays.
- General approach on the directive on the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities
- Draft Council Conclusions on European Court of Auditors Special Report No 20/2023 – “Supporting people with disabilities”
- European disability card (background information)
- Watch the public session
- Infographic – Disability in the EU: facts and figures: See full infographic
European Semester 2024: Green collective bargaining
Ministers held a policy debate on the European Semester, which is the EU’s framework for coordinating and monitoring economic, fiscal, employment and social policies on an annual basis.
The ministers took note of the Commission’s presentation on the 2024 European Semester Autumn Package, including the draft joint employment report; the latter will be adopted by EPSCO in March 2024 and encompasses for the first time a first-stage country analysis on labour market, skills and social developments to detect possible risks to upward social convergence.
Following that, they engaged in a discussion on green collective bargaining. They debated on how collective bargaining can accompany a fair transition towards climate neutrality, by sharing national experiences and good practices. Many ministers stressed the importance of respecting autonomy of social partners and that social dialogue is a paramount element in the context of the twin green and digital transition. For this transition to be successful, the Council concluded, businesses and workers should be actively consulted and involved.
The EPSCO Council also endorsed the key messages of the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee as regards the implementation of the recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality. According to their key messages, member states have started navigating the complex challenges stemming from the green transition, with significant differences across countries regarding the policies implemented. Further monitoring and evaluating fair transition measures will be crucial for guiding future policy decisions.
- Draft joint employment report
- European Semester 2024: Green collective bargaining – presidency steering note
- The European Semester explained (background information)
- Key messages from EMCO and SPC on the implementation of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality
- Watch the public session
Democracy at work and transformation of care services
Ministers approved conclusions on more democracy at work and green collective bargaining for decent work and sustainable and inclusive growth. The conclusions stress the importance of developing different forms of democracy at work in national legislation or practice, through social dialogue.
The conclusions invite member states and the Commission to further promote the inclusion of environmental elements in collective bargaining and thus contribute to the development of green collective bargaining at cross-sectoral, sectoral and company level, in close cooperation with social partners.
The Council also approved conclusions on transition of care systems throughout life towards holistic, person-centred and community-based support models with a gender perspective. Among others, the conclusions invite member states to provide for affordable early childcare and education services, as well as to address the shortage of skilled care workers.
- Council conclusions on more democracy at work and green collective bargaining for decent work and sustainable and inclusive growth
- Council conclusions on the transition of care systems throughout life towards holistic, person-centred and community-based support models with a gender perspective
- Work-life balance for parents and carers (background information)
EU action against racism
Based on a steering note prepared by the presidency, ministers took stock of the EU Action Plan against racism 2020-2025. Their debate focused on structural racism and illegal racial profiling. Ministers exchanged views on how to best address these problems in national anti-racism legislation and anti-racism action plans.
They stressed the need for active steps to combat the problem of racism and committed to continue the search for effective solutions both at the EU level and in every member state.
Current legislative files
Under other business, the Spanish presidency provided information on five current legislative files and the progress made on them:
- directive on standards for equality bodies (Article 19)
- directive on standards for equality bodies (Article 157)
- regulation on European statistics on population and housing
- directive on limit values for lead and diioscyanates
- platform work directive
- Standards for equality bodies: Council agrees its positions (press release, 12 June 2023)
- Council’s negotiating mandate on regulation on European statistics on population and housing
- Lead and diisocyanates: EU set to protect workers from exposure (press release, 14 November 2023)
- Rights for platform workers: Council agrees its position (press release, 12 June 2023)
Other matters
The presidency shared information on conferences and high-level meetings organised during its term in the employment, social and equality areas. In particular, it presented the work carried out during the informal meeting of equality ministers that took place in Pamplona on 24 November 2023 and focused on violence against women. Together with the Commission, the presidency provided information on the European Year of Skills.
- Information on the conferences and events organised by the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Commission work programme 2024: Delivering today and preparing for tomorrow
- Information from the Presidency and the Commission on the European Year of Skills
Agenda for Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Social investment
The second day the Council will kick-off with a policy debate on social investment, based on a steering note prepared by the Spanish presidency, building inter alia on the opinion of the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee on the added value of social investment and the role of the EPSCO Council in the governance of the European Semester.
Social security coordination
Following the debate, the Council is expected to approve conclusions on digitalisation in social security coordination. The presidency will also inform ministers on the state of play of the revision of the regulations on the coordination of social security systems (883/04 and 987/09).
Meeting information
- Meeting n°3987
- Brussels
- 27 November 2023
- 10:00
Preparatory documents
- Provisional agenda
- Provisional list of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
- European disability card: travelling across the EU to become easier for persons with disabilities
- Council adopts regulation on Central Securities Depositories
- Council adopts regulation easing access to corporate information for investors
- Data Act: Council adopts new law on fair access to and use of data
- Council gives final approval to measures to promote the social economy